Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai, Archaeological site and petroglyphs in Bayan-Ölgii Province, Mongolia.
The Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai are archaeological sites with thousands of rock carvings spread across a vast mountain region in Bayan-Ölgii Province. The carvings depict animals, human figures, and scenes of daily life from multiple interconnected locations.
The rock carvings span thousands of years and record the shift from hunting societies to cultures centered on horses and nomadic herding. This transformation is visible in the sequence of images carved across the rock faces at different times.
The rock carvings show scenes of hunting, herding, and daily life that shaped this mountain region for thousands of years. Visitors walking through the sites can observe horses, wild animals, and human figures that reflect how people adapted to this harsh landscape.
These sites are located in remote mountain valleys and are best accessed on foot with local guides, particularly during spring and early autumn. Visitors should prepare for harsh weather and bring appropriate hiking gear.
The site is divided into three distinct complexes, each recording different periods of human settlement and artistic expression. Walking between these areas allows visitors to trace the evolution of carving styles and subject matter across centuries.
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